Closed book of Ruth

Thank goodness Ruth Kelly, the new Education Secretary, is a member of the mysterious Catholic organisation Opus Dei - otherwise journalists would have nothing to write about her. Ms Kelly has remained tight-lipped since her promotion in December, refusing to discuss any policy issues before her debut in office this Thursday at the North of England Education Conference in Manchester. Schoolfriends seem to suggest that this is par for the course. Former Westminster pupils report that Ms Kelly kept herself to herself - and her frosty exterior frightened off the boys.